This “Tobusatate” series is painted on Hinoki wood and offers a unique look at the connection between man and nature through the prism of Japanese traditions and Western artistic influences.

 

In Japan, the “Tobusatate” ceremony is performed when a tree is felled to provide lumber for shrine construction. During this practice, a branch of the tree is inserted in the center of the main stump to honor and thank the tree for its sacrifice.

It has been practiced for 1400 years and is still performed today on certain occasions.

Some of the works in the exhibition are inspired by this very ritual practice. Paint is applied directly to sections of hinoki, the sacred Japanese cypress tree, and the pictorial composition is designed to center on the trunk, reflecting the importance of the center in the Tobusatate ceremony.

Each painting depicts a fleeting scene from nature, reflected in rippling waters, inviting viewers to reflect on the transience of life itself.

 

In addition to the works on hinoki, works on cypress are also on display that recall mirror frescoes. These works transport viewers to a secret place, as if they were looking from behind a forest, revealing an intimate and mysterious place.

This inspiration comes from the history of Palazzo Te, a place steeped in secrets and intimate details of Federico II Gonzaga's private life.